In a transformative act of philanthropy, billionaire author MacKenzie Scott has gifted a staggering $45 million to The Trevor Project, the non-profit organisation renowned for its suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people. The donation, announced by the charity on Monday 12th January 2026, arrives as a vital stabilising force following a period of severe financial strain and internal challenges.
A Critical Infusion After Federal Funding Loss
The monumental gift, the largest single donation in the organisation's history, comes after a particularly difficult summer. In July 2025, the Trump administration ceased specific federal support for gay, transgender, and gender nonconforming young people using the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Trevor Project, which staffed the dedicated 'Press 3' option for LGBTQ+ youth, lost $25 million in crucial funding as a direct result.
CEO Jaymes Black described their reaction to Scott's generosity: “I literally could not believe it and it took some time. I actually gasped.” The organisation's independent hotline serves approximately 250,000 young people annually, but it had been supporting another 250,000 through the now-defunct 988 service. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed over 1.5 million contacts were routed through the specialised line between September 2022 and July 2025.
Navigating Turmoil and Intentional Growth
The funding crisis compounded years of internal management turmoil for The Trevor Project, which had experienced explosive growth. According to public tax records, its annual budget ballooned from around $4 million in 2016 to over $83 million in 2023. This rapid expansion was followed by board leadership changes, including the removal of its CEO in 2022, and a series of layoffs continuing into July 2025.
Black confirmed the organisation's 2026 budget is now set at $47 million, stating, “We are a smaller organization than we were before. And we will continue to be really intentional and really mindful around growth and what growth really means for the organization.” Following the loss of the 988 funding, The Trevor Project launched an emergency fundraiser that raised $20 million, which Black believes demonstrated their resilience to potential donors like Scott.
The Scott Philanthropy Model: Unrestricted and Impact-Focused
MacKenzie Scott, whose wealth originates from her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, donated more than $7 billion to non-profits in 2025. She has distinguished herself by providing large, unrestricted gifts, often focused on equity and social justice. This $45 million donation was not listed among the gifts she disclosed on her website in December. Scott had previously given The Trevor Project $6 million in 2020.
Professor Thad Calabrese of New York University, an expert in non-profit financial management, noted that rapid growth often leads to financial difficulties for charities. He also highlighted the instability of public funding, stating, “Academic research has often viewed public funding as very stable... but the reality is you are now also open to changing political fortunes.”
Black emphasised that Scott's team was clear the gift was intended for long-term impact, and the organisation will carefully decide how to deploy the funds. Research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy suggests fears about non-profits misusing Scott's substantial gifts have largely not materialised, likely due to her team's extensive pre-grant research.
In an essay about her 2025 giving, Scott posited that the vulnerability of organisations could itself be a powerful driver for generosity. For The Trevor Project, this second gift from Scott serves as what Black calls “a powerful validation” of their mission, marking the beginning of what they hope will be their turnaround story.
